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Trainer Rex Lipp is unsure whether Simply Fly will contest the major TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival sprints, but is prepared to make a late switch if the three-year-old’s form warrants a change of direction.
Simply Fly will attempt to stretch his winning sequence to six when the Spirit Of Boom gelding tackles the Three-Year-Old Quality over 1050 metres at Doomben on Saturday.
Simply Fly is coming off a blistering win when he stormed home from last to claim the 1200-metre QTIS Jewel 3YO at the Gold Coast last month.
It took his record to six wins from eight starts.
Rex Lipp is aiming Simply Fly for second-tier races during the winter but hasn't ruled out a tilt at the 1400-metre Group 1 Stradbroke at Eagle Farm in June.
"At this stage he'll aim for races like the Mick Dittman, Gold Coast Guineas and Fred Best Classic but things could change and the Stradbroke is a possibility if he runs well in those races," Lipp said.
"But I'd prefer for him to stick to his own age and a race like the Queensland Guineas is a consideration."
Simply Fly's mother Express Air won the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) on a heavy track at Eagle Farm in 2009.
"I think he'll run a mile so he could be a Queensland Guineas horse but it all depends how he goes along the way," he said.
Lipp is confident of another strong showing from Simply Fly who is unbeaten in two starts on heavy tracks.
Lipp will have a strong hand at Doomben with his former star three-year-old Gem Of Scotland tackling the Class 6 Plate (1200m) while promising Balmaurice runs in the 1200-metre QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap.
Gem Of Scotland is continuing her comeback after a near career ending injury and is coming off a last start fifth to fellow Toowoomba sprinter Jadentom at the Gold Coast on March 13.
Balmaurice was an easy winner at his only start at Eagle Farm in mid-January and is on trial for a shot at the major two-year-old races during the winter.
"Gem Of Scotland should race well and likes heavy tracks but the jury is still out where she'll go in the winter until after Saturday," he said.
"At this stage we're just looking at the Silk Stocking with her.
"Balmaurice is an up-and-comer who won impressively at his only start and there's a chance he could aim for the big two-year-old races but I'll play it by ear with him."
